Empire Cross Quilt Block

The empire cross quilt block is a striking block that can be made into an equally striking quilt. It also makes rather an impressive quilt, as you can see further down this page. It’s classified as a four patch block and I have made it here as a 16″ square.

Cutting requirements for the empire cross quilt block

2.1/2″ by 6.1/2″ rectangles: three white

2.1/2″ squares: eight white

4.7/8″ squares: two yellow, two green

2.7/8″ squares: four yellow, four white

4.1/2″ squares: five yellow

Make half square triangle units

Making the empire cross quilt block

Make half square triangles with the 4.7/8″ squares and also with the 2.7/8″ squares. place two squares with right sides together and mark a line along the diagonal. Sew a 1/4″ seam either side of the marked line and cut along the line. This will produce two half square triangle units which are either 4.1/2″ or 2.1/2″ squares.

Empire cross quilt block layout

Lay the squares out as shown. The four white rectangles are placed in the corners of the block. The yellow/white half square triangles are placed in pairs in the middle of each edge of the block, with white square completing the edges. The middle of the block is a nine patch unit with a yellow/green half square triangle in each corner of the nine patch unit and yellow squares filling the other spaces.

Sew the white squares in pairs

The squares can be sewn together across the top and bottom row. For the other rows you will need to sew the two white squares at each end together first, and then all the squares can be sewn together across the rows.

Sew the rows to each other to complete the empire cross quilt block.

Empire cross quilt idea

When nine of the blocks are sewn together they make a delightful quilt, with white crosses forming to set off the yellow crosses from within the block.